getting a tune-up, questions....

[kdlindsey]

Okay, finally got a date with computer guy to tune up my computer.

I had it custom built...it has a Cyrix 300MHZ mmx cpu...a 4.2 gig hardrive...24X cyberdrive cdrom....64m RAM...as far as the motherboard goes, not sure on the name, it just says VA-502 on the book....

I am getting the fan replaced, it hums and buzzes and have had numerous problems with overheating....it will make a whooowhooo noise, like an alarm....then freeze up, taking the case cover off will solve it and I have been running it that way...I know, i know.

it is humming and buzzing right now.hope it doesn't freeze.

It has a heatsink and fan on the processor...what od you guys reccomend just replacing the fan...a bigger fan(are there sizes?) two fans??

What should it cost me to boot my RAM up to 128?

To upgrade my procesor to 400 or higher, should I stay with the cyrix? What would/should a new power supply cost?

I replaced the power supply cord last weekend cuz it had a melted hole on one side of the plug, any ideas on that?

I am getting some ports added so I can run the digital camera....the only open port i have left is the 25pin...no other plugs/ports/holes....period. What else should I add? I want to add a scanner eventually and probably other things.

What about the CD-ROM? should I upgrade it?

any suggestions would be great!

[Dave_H]

Whoa!
Safety first. Quote-"I replaced the power supply cord last weekend cuz it had a melted hole on one side of the plug, any ideas on that?"
You talking about the plug outside the computer? The one that plugs into the wall?
Dave

[jad1097]

On the power supply cord was it the part that pluged into the computer or the wall. And if it is the side going into the wall was it one of the prongs. Either way it sounds as if you have a loose connetion there. Either replace the power supply or the plug in the wall.I would also say the cord was the source of your problems.
As for ram you could buy some used from here in the user to user forum. I paid $70 for 64meg from codybear.
Does this (http://www.fica.com/english/product/motherboard/socket7/va502.htm) look like your board? Looks like you will need a new board if you want to upgrade you processor.

Looks like you may want a bare bones kit.

[This message has been edited by jad1097 (edited 02-03-2000).]

[This message has been edited by jad1097 (edited 02-03-2000).]

[grandslammer]

Couldn't this person run like a k6/2 350 or 400, or better? At worst, seems like they would have to get a bios flash. Especially over a Cyrix 300, that would breathe an amazing amount of life into their machine.

Do that, then set your swap file to say 160 MB, run cacheman, or at least change typical role to network server. Sounds like if the fan makes noise when the case is closed, maybe there is an airflow problem and the fan is loading up...

Question, you said that you had your machine custom made, why did you pick the cyrix chip? Just curious, but whomever made it should have given you more options.

I'm not cracking on your machine, heck I used to run a P200mmx, actually, I used to run a cyrix 486DX2 (66Mhz chip!) I paid over 2 large for it and the little accessories the man said I really had to have. Only thing I have left of that deal is surge protector. But it works great!

Good luck with your project

Mike P.
http://crazydude.com/MikePrettyman

[Jinx67]

Go with anything but the CYRIX they,re okay for web surfing or office terminals but not much beyond that. I bought a similar system and immediatly removed the MII 300. I would say buy a new barebones system.That way you could still use the CD, HD, and ram on your new system. I,ve seen K6II 400 barebones with USB ports going for $200 U.S. "WWW.ditcorp.com" Upgrades for el cheapos. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Jinx67 (edited 02-04-2000).]

[jad1097]

grandslammer
I checked the site and the bios update (http://www.fica.com/) does not support a processor that large. The last bios update I found was 05/08/97. You would think they would have a newer one huh. That is why I recommended the bare bones kit.
Of course you could always try it.
You could try here. (http://www.tigerdirect.com/Dev/search.asp?keywords=bare+bones)
But really all you will need is a new motherboard and processor. But seeing how you have possible power supply problems I think the bare bones kit.

[kdlindsey]

I know the system probably sucks, but, I bought it two years ago and didn't know squat about computers. Ihad no idea what the basic parts were, let alone which was better or why. i still don't have a clue what you guys are talking about half the time, lol!

I have thought about replacing the tower and all th components in it...jut didn't want to spend a wad. I paid $1,600 for the system two years ago, which probably wasn't unreasonable then?

The cord was the end that plugged into the computer and I was thinking that was probably the cause of all my problems. This computer has been a pain in my *** since day one. In the first year it had everything but the modem and CD-ROM replaced, because he couldn't figure out what was wrong...which I may cut him some slack...whenever i took it to him the cord stayed home...so he may not have know and I didn't know the cord was messed up either.

Maybe I will just have the fan fixed and get a port added for the digital camera and then look into a bare bones tower.

will let you know.

Thanks!