looking for mobo that supports WinMe

[ginahoy]

I need to build a desktop that runs WinMe. Can someone recommend a MoBo that will work well with WinMe? It doesn't need to be latest technology. VirtualPC isn't an option for my application.
David

[Lgbpop]

ME didn't work with ANYTHING particularly well. That being said, as long as the mobo will support at least 256MB RAM and a CPU of 600MHz or better you're OK. If you use a newer board with more than 512MB RAM, remove some OR limit the VCache in config.sys to 400,000 just to be on the safe side.

Post the CPU you're planning on using and I can point you toward a source for compatible mobos.

[ginahoy]

ME didn't work with ANYTHING particularly well. That being said, as long as the mobo will support at least 256MB RAM and a CPU of 600MHz or better you're OK. If you use a newer board with more than 512MB RAM, remove some OR limit the VCache in config.sys to 400,000 just to be on the safe side.

Post the CPU you're planning on using and I can point you toward a source for compatible mobos.Thanks for your input. I'm aware of the vcache issue and I understand your comment about ME. My previous system ran ME, and after taking time to tweak it out (particularly, disabling the RESTORE feature), I was pretty happy with it.

I have been advised elsewhere, by more than one person, that ME (or 98X) will not run on contemporary mobo's. I was also advised to stay away from PCI Express.

I'd like to make the system as fast as is reasonably possible, so if this is not the case, I would probably back up one step from bleeding edge and deal with a reputable barebones dealer.

[Lgbpop]

If you're serious, get a Socket 462 (A) mobo with an Athlon XP 2400+ or faster. If you get an Asus or Abit mobo, you can overclock them pretty well.

I have an Abit KV7 with an Athlon XP 3000+ Barton core, 2.16GHz stock that I ran at 2.4GHz for a year before building my current dual-core system. It has 512MB Patriot low-latency, PC3200 RAM (2-3-2-5/T1 timings), Zalman CPU cooling, onboard RealTek audio and an NVidia 6800OC for graphics. It won't multitask like a dual-core, but it's faster than h**l otherwise. If you're interested, PM me.

[Sterling_Aug]

The issue is not if the mobo supports a particular OS, they all support all OSes. The isue is if anyone created a chipset driver for WinME. The only way to be sure, as stated above, is to buy a mobo that is at least 4-5 years old.

[ginahoy]

The issue is not if the mobo supports a particular OS, they all support all OSes. The isue is if anyone created a chipset driver for WinME. The only way to be sure, as stated above, is to buy a mobo that is at least 4-5 years old.Sorry, I didn't express myself clearly. Since chipsets, chipset drivers and motherboards are normally as a unit, I was referring to the package.

Someone in the VIA forum recommended the Biostar 478 socket board (P4M80-M4). I would probably go with a P4 2.8 Northwood. Only downside seems to be small number of slots.

[Lgbpop]

I just dug the vidcard box out of my closet - the vidcard is the BFG GEForce 6800OC factory-overclocked version. Not onboard graphics, just in case I gave that impression. The KV7 is a full ATX format with 5 PCI slots and one AVG 4x/8x slot.

Everyone has their favorites, but Abit and Asus (MSI as well) are considered better boards than the Biostar. Also, I've made and sold several of those Northwood-based systems using an Asus Socket 478 and they run hot. If you go that route, make sure you have excellent CPU cooling. I don't build them anymore because the CPU is locked, can't overclock it at all so it doesn't perform as good as the Athlon XP IMHO.

[ginahoy]

Just to close the loop, I ended up with ASUS socket 939 with Athlon X2 4200+.

Still looking into VirtualPC but this h/w should support ME directly if I have to do a dual-boot

[Lgbpop]

As long as you can get ME drivers for the vidcard you use you should be fine.