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It was already used back then and +it shipped with the mighty Micro$oft Windows 98 OS (probably the "First +Edition"). + +{% include image.html file="dsl_boot_on_old_pc.gif" alt="booting Damn Small Linux (DSL) from the CD-ROM" caption="booting Damn Small Linux (DSL) with the CD-ROM" %} + +I remember using *Intern€t Explor€r* (version 5?) with +this thing (sic) and to do that I had to connect the internal +[Winmodem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Softmodem) to a +[tripolar phone +plug](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripolar_plug) with an RJ-45 to +tripolar beige wire (this also happened with the +next computer). Internet speed was around 32Kbps on average. +No USBs, no WiFi, no Ethernet. Only a CD-ROM and a floppy disk drive which was +the only medium I used at the time to move files. Infact I remember using +floppy drives for school researches using Micro$oft Word as an editor. + +It was not a gaming PC but I was able to play +titles like *Hard Truck: Road To Victory*, *Age Of Empires II* or *Flight +Simulator 98* anyway. + +Sadly, some years ago this PC refused to boot up. This happened +more and more frequenly and I had no idea on what was going on. I gave up +using it... + +... until I decided to repair it and I noticed some corrosion on +the RAM module. I found [this post](http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/253501-30-cleaning-memory-eraser-chips) +which suggests using a pencil eraser on the pins. It worked. When booting, the +leds of the AT keyboard instead of blinking once, now blinked twice. So I +connected the video card as well but nothing happened. I then connected a PC +buzzer and found out that it was an +[AGP socket problem](http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading/post-beep-codes.htm) a.k.a. +*Video error*, since the motherboard has an AWARD BIOS. + +I tried another AGP video card with no luck. The AGP socket was probably just +broken. + +To be sure the system was working I tried a Windows 98 recovery boot floppy +disk. I issued the `dir` command and listened to the floppy drive making +the usual noise. + +Since it's pretty useless as it is, and of course painly slow, I think it's +time to recycle the components... + +What follows is a thorough inventory of the parts with some photos. + +## The full hardware specs + +### Motherboard + +- 1x Unkown "Super Socket 7" motherboard with AWARD BIOS and VIA, Winbond and + other chips. + +{% include image.html file="DSCN3132.JPG" alt="motherboard and processor" %} + +#### Slots + +- 3x PCI +- 2x ISA +- 2x DIMM 168 pin +- 2x [SIMM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIMM) RAM (Don't know pin #) + +#### Connectors + +- 1x ATA Floppy +- 1x primary IDE (ATA) +- 1x secondary IDE (ATA) +- 1x PS/2 mouse (not the actual PS/2 connector but 5 pins. See [this](https://www.altex.com/5-Pin-to-6-Pin-F-Intel-PS2-Mouse-Cable-BKT-PS2-P139177.aspx) for example) +- 2x COM 10 pin +- 1x IDC 26 pin +- 1x USB 8 pin (don't know what version but i suspect it's 1.1) +- 1x 3 pin fan +- 1x AT Keyboard +- 1x AGP 124 +- 1x P8 P9 (power) +- 1x 20 pix ATX (power) +- 1x KEYLOCK +- 1x 4 pin speaker (buzzer) +- 1x reset +- 1x HDD LED +- 1x power ON/OFF +- 1x `EXTSMI` +- 1x INFRA-RED + +### Processor + +- 1x AMD `AMD-K6-2/450AFX` + +### Cards + +- 1x PCI Winmodem (can't find it) +- 1x ISA `CRYSTAL CX4235-XQ3` sound card +- 1x `ATI HIS Rage IIc` video card + +{% include image.html file="DSCN3131.JPG" alt="sound card and video card" %} + +### Memory + +- 32MB `DIMM32MTEC AL0457BY` DIMM RAM. It has 4 `M.tec` memory modules on the + front. + +### Drives + +- 1x 1.44 MB `MITSUMI MODEL D359M3` floppy drive +- 1x 44x `Delta Electronics, Model OIP-CD440A` CD ROM drive +- 1x 8.4GB `Seagate U8 Model ST38410A` HDD + +{% include image.html file="DSCN3156.JPG" alt="HDD" %} +{% include image.html file="DSCN3157.JPG" alt="HDD" %} +{% include image.html file="DSCN3159.JPG" alt="HDD" %} + +### Power Supply + +- Power supply with P8 and P9 pins: `EXON COMPUTER SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY + 230W`. Model name should be `EX04T`. + +{% include image.html file="DSCN3130.JPG" alt="FDD and power supply" %} + +### Case Connectors + +These connectors are placed on the back part of the chassis. They have the +classic bracket form factor. + +#### Connector 1 + +- 1x female PS/2 mouse connector +- 1x female parallel port + +#### Connector 2 + +- 1x 9 pin male serial port +- 1x 25 pin male serial port + +{% include image.html file="DSCN3134.JPG" alt="Keyboard and case connectors" %} + +### External Accessories + +- AT Montewrey Keyboard `MODEL : K280W` with the right foot/leg broken + (looking at the keyboard from behind). +- DELL Trinitron monitor `UltraScan 800HS Series MODEL: D825TM`, with a nice + integrated crack on the basement and a non functional horizontal line on the screen. +- A serial mouse (can't find it) +- Classical PC speakers (light blue transparent plastic) with power supply (can't find them) + +{% include image.html file="DSCN3140.JPG" alt="monitor back view" %} +{% include image.html file="DSCN3143.JPG" alt="monitor front view" %} + + + +