[comp.sys.ibm.pc] Can I upgrade PC/XT clone to 386

koverzin@bnrmtv.UUCP (Raymond Koverzin) (06/17/89)

I own an IBM PC/XT clone and would like to upgrade to a 386 machine.

What is the cheapest way for me to do that?  Can I just replace the
motherboard?

I've also heard that a 386 kit can be bought from a shop in Sunnyvale,
California.  My friend thinks it is called "Dominos."  No relation to
the Pizza guys.  Does anybody know about this or any other outfits like
this?  Any other suggestions?

Andrew_J_Gray@cup.portal.com (06/20/89)

 
 There is a company in Sunnyvale called Domino Computers, that teaches classes
on building computers.  The catch is that you have to buy the motherboard from
them, and the class is free.
 
 The '386 motherboard they sell is about $750 with no memory, which isn't a 
bad deal if you know the specs of the board.  I don
't.  If you want to buy all the parts from them, it'll cost you about $1400
for a complete system.  You can bring in all of your old hardware, buy the 
motherboard from them, and do the upgrade with their tech. experts there to
watch you do it.
 
 You can find an ad for their company in Computer Currents (local to
California).
 
 Andrew Gray  {apple,pacbell,ucbvax,hplabs}!well!agray

jca@pnet01.cts.com (John C. Archambeau) (07/23/89)

It's pretty much the same scenario as when you do a motherboard swap to an
AT.  Some 8-bit cards will have to go and be replaced with AT or 386 cards,
but one thing I have noted (at least for an AT) is that 8-bit XT hard drive
controllers can be hit over the head with a proverbial hammer to work under
MS-DOS and Minix.  However, if anything demands to see a 16-bit controller
you are out of luck.  Fortunately DOS goes through the BIOS and Minix is
written in such a modular fashion that it is easy to make an AT run off of an
XT controller.
 

 /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------*
  * Flames: /dev/null (on my Minix partition)
  *--------------------------------------------------------------------------*
  * APRA  : crash!pnet01!jca@nosc.mil
  * INET  : jca@pnet01.cts.com
  * UUCP  : {nosc ucsd hplabs!hd-sdd}!crash!pnet01!jca
  *--------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
  
#include <disclaimer.h>

void main (void)
{

#if defined (MSDOS) || defined (OS2) || defined (VMS)
 printf ("You call that an operating system???\n");
#else
 printf ("Unix might not be perfect...\n");
 printf ("  ...but it's the best I've seen thus far...\n");
#endif
}