josephc@nntp-server.caltech.edu (Joseph Chiu) (06/22/91)
Well, I just spent a day yesterday doing a cosmetic upgrade of my old PC (and then some)... My PC, by the way, had evolved from a 256K 4.77MHz Clone without a harddrive to a 1M 16MHz AT-class Clone with a Rodime 202E Harddrive (65Ms! Eeesh!) Oh yeah, did I mention CGA? (Feel free to throw up right now) Anyways, I decided to give it a new case, and a new video and new harddrive, and had some interesting experiences. IDE Drives and cable I purchased a Western Digital Model 240 IDE Harddrive and compatible controller (85Megs, 19ms, 32K cache IDE interface). When I took it home, the cable did not fit onto the harddrive. Apparently, the "key" on the IDC cable did not fit onto the WD HD... I drove back to the seller who instead of giving me a new cable, just cut away the key with a razorblade until it fit. When you buy a HD and Controller pair, make sure that the cables "fit". Otherwise, you might end up with a speeding ticket on the second trip back to the store (as was my case! Downhill, going 58 in a 48 zone. Sigh... :( ) When I tried to format the IDE drive, surprise-surprise! I couldn't do it... Then, I remembered this group's discussion of IDE drives. Moral: Get Proper Software ahead of time. The third time I tried to format the harddrive with FORMAT, though, it somehow worked. Strange, but true. ELEGANT CASE, with PITFALLS. Also from this company, I purchased a very elegant looking tower-case and supply (230W P/S, 8 drive bays, Full-size motherboard space, and one of those nifty "Digital Speed Display" $128) These clone cases are, as some people have pointed out, standard cases made to "stand up". By this, I mean that there is no "hinged" case like the true-blue machines. But, on the other hand, I don't intend to open my system too often, so it's not a problem. What is a probelm, though, is the powerswitch. When I took it home, I noticed that it protruded a bit out of my case. When I pushed it in, SPARKS FLEW EVERYWHERE. Apparently, the design of the case was just ever-so-close enough to the connectors that the line pin shorted onto the case. Fortunately, nothing fried - and after the switch was in its correct place, it had a good enough clearance that I am not worried. Those Digital speed readout, by the way, are "bogus". They don't really tell you the speed of the system. They just switch, on the basis of the "Turbo" pin on the motherboard, what number to display... It's amazing how my 16 MHz motherboard is running at 57 MHz right now... :) VGA is not VGA is not VGA This one doesn't need much dwelling. I bought a low-cost VGA, and I am happy enough with it to keep it. BUT, it certainly is not the nice and sharp and well-cased monitors (SONY Trinitrons) that my school have. But hey, for a 512K card and monitor combo (1024x768) for $380, I am not complaining. But DO LOOK before buying. After about 5 hours (including being pulled over and all that...), the system was reskinned. Now, I have a nice looking system, VGA, a MUCH faster Hard Drive and a very quiet fan (ah!)... But for $900 (including my guess for traffic school), was it worth it? Hmmmm... Maybe... -- Just some food for thought... Joseph -- Joseph Chiu, Dept. of Computer Science, Caltech | Rrr Redundant Tautology System 1-57 Fleming House, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91126 | Ttt Triplicate Archival Backup Tel/Fax:(818) 585-0393 josephc@coil.caltech.edu | Sss RTS TAB, Model RTS-333-TAB