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 Almost Everything You Need to Know About Your Packard Bell Computer
 
Packard Bell 770 System Type
What Packard Bell does and does not tell you.
This site made with this PB
 
Updated August 29, 1998
 
The information on this page was received via email, I don't know about the accuracy of this info since I have not seen any PB documentation about this system. If you know some thing about the 770 please let me know and anyplace I am wrong please contact me.
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What does this sytem look like?
Can I upgrade a 770 motherboard? 
Sound
L2 Cache
What does the motherboard look like?
Why not?
Video
RAM
What models have the PB 770 motherboard?
How to open the case?
BIOS
Battery
Why did Packard Bell not give me an manual?
CPU
Chipset
Riser card
Ray's recommendation - if you are planning on buying one of these system, think twice. It is more of a disposable computer and you can not upgrade it. Some people may like it, I like the looks, but I do not like the fact that it can not be upgraded. Plus the 14 inch monitor that comes with it is too small for today's applications. If you do not plan to upgrade your sytem, then this may be the model for you.  The price is right for this type of system.  Otherwise check out the other Packard Bell models, they have a lot of good new systems.
What does this sytem look like?
 
Compaq
Packard Bell
What else can I say, these two computer (though lacking upgradability) appar to be a great value if you add up the cost of parts. However I have no data showing the performance of them and if they lack the L2 cache then they may be slower then the average computer. I would buy one of these sytems only if I did not intend to upgrade it in the future.
What does the motherboard look like?
here is one persons description of this board:
"This is an 'all in one' motherboard - video, hard drive cont., etc are on the motherboard. The unfortunate part is that this thing has NO, and I am still stunned, NO expansion slots.The motherboard looks sort of like the 680 picture (actually it kind of resmbles serveral of them), but the 2 SIMM slots are where the CPU is, and the CPU is to the right. The 770 doesn't have the riser slot, or video in ports." - Craig
What models have the PB 770 motherboard? (I am guessing that all B2 case types have the 770 motherboard, please tell me if I am wrong). Read more about them, at the PB site, by clicking on links.
Why did Packard Bell not give me a manual?
I don't know, ask them. I guess they would rather you did not know anything about your system. I think they should have given you a manual, even if it says that you can not upgrade. That is why I created this web page, to make up for Packard Bell lack of customer support. There is no known .mvb file for this system, if you want info Packard Bell is the only source I know of.
Can I upgrade a 770 motherboard?
NO, this system was designed by Packard Bell to be non upgradable. Every page of the PB docs reads:
"NOTE This system is not recommended to be upgraded."
Opining the case will void the warranty and can be dangerous due to an exposed power supply.
Why not?
Packard Bell has designed this computer to be as non upgradable as possible.
How to open the case?
You are not supposed to open the case.
I was told the following:
I know you want to anyway. I will tell you, but remember it is dangerous in the case with all that ESD and open power supply. I have warned you and I am not responsible if you decide to open your case.
Packard Bell has turned away from the standard screws and has added an allen screw to throw you off. They really want to keep you out of this thing, next they will probably weld them shut. But for now the only special tool required is an Allen wrench. Take out the one Allen screw, and thenthe 2 phillips screws and its open. Then you just have to wiggle the front free.
Sound
An Aztech AZT2320 (R2) Super Intergrated Audio Chip (onbord SND4) is on the motherboard.
Video
The video is an ATI-264vt Graphics Controller. I was told that the PB770 can be upgraded to 2MB of Video memory by a 1 MB DRAM Memory Expansion Module. The video memory upgrade is inserted in sockets U2J1 and U3J1. Pin 1 is at the front right corner of the socket. To install the chip, insert it into the socket and push until the chip snaps into place.
Note: Some of the PB770 models have variations that can not be upgraded.
BIOS
BIOS Made By
System BIOS
Video BIOS
Audio BIOS
Phoenix
ATI
Aztech
 
Chipset
L2 Cache
The motherboard comes with:
16KB L1 (Internal} write-back cache (integrated in the CPU) (The L1 always comes in the CPU)
256KB L2 (External) write-through with write buffers cache soldered on the motherboard Not upgradeable.
Note: Some motherboards may also come with no L2 cache and are also not upgradeable. I would not buy a system without the L2 cache. If the system does not say on it that it comes with L2 cache then it probably does not have it.
RAM
Standard RAM is 8 or 16 MB factory installed, but the system is capable of having 64 MB of memory. There are no free RAM slots so you will need to take out the original two SIMMs and add two new ones that have more total MB of RAM. Standard 4/8/16/32 MB 72-pin SIMMs can be installed running at 60 or 70 ns, both EDO and Fast Paged RAM. It Supports only non-parity DRAM
SIMM Type (Amount) (Socket 0)
SIMM Type (Amount) (Socket 1)
Total System Memory
1M X 32 (4 MB)
1M X 32 (4 MB)
8 MB
2M X 32 (8 MB)
2M X 32 (8 MB)
16 MB
4M X 32 (16 MB)
4M X 32 (16 MB)
32 MB
8M X 32 (32 MB)
8M X 32 (32 MB)
64 MB
NOTE: Any memory upgrades must consist of two identical SIMMs. Mismatched SIMMs, or using only one SIMM can result in memory failure and may damage the SIMMs.
Battery
Yet another feature of the non upgradable computer. The Lithium battery is soldered onto the motherboard, so you better hope it does not go bad. The battery is a 3V Lithium.
Riser card
This system type can have a riser card, most system (I have been told) are shipped with out one. You can expect to pay around $90 for one if it is not included. These risers may have one pci or 1 isa slot. I was told that the pci slot is not advertised and stores are told not to tell people that it exists. Remember, these systems are not supposed to be upgradable.
CPU
321-pin Type 7 Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) CPU Socket. Disable cache to slow down the system (Who would want to slow their system down?).
The 770 Motherboard can accommodate the following CPUs:
Intel Pentium 75 MHz
Intel Pentium 90 MHz
Intel Pentium 100 MHz
Intel Pentium 120 MHz
Intel Pentium 133 MHz
Intel Pentium 150 MHz
Intel Pentium 166 MHz
Intel Pentium 200 MHz
CPU Speed Jumper Settings:
JP8
JP7
Clock Frequency
JP5
JP4
Clock Frequency Multiplyer
Off
Off
55 MHz
1-2
1-2
X1.5
Off
On
60 MHz
2-3
1-2
X2.0
On
Off
66.6 MHz
2-3
2-3
X2.5
On
On
50 MHz
1-2
2-3
X3.0
The Processor voltage can be changed with the JP6 jumper 1-2 gives VR (3.3) and 2-3 gives VRE (3.5V)
So what does all that mean, the actual speeds that the 770 motherboard are capable of range from 75 MHz to 200 MHz and anyplace in between. Different clock frequencies can be obtained by changing the above jumpers to the desired settings, however if you are thinking about overclocking, remember that these sytems are not meant to be opened.
I have no data of a PowerLeap adapter or overdrives being used on this system.
This is one of the newer PB motherboards and we know little about it so far. This page is everything I know about the 770, I do not own one myself so this information is limited to email I receive and looking at them at the local computer stores.. Thanks Chuck, Unforgiven, Craig and Aaron for supplying information. If you know more please contact me the info to post so I can share it with others.
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