leroy@norvax.UUCP (Todd LeRoy) (12/14/90)
I am looking for a product to upgrade IBM PS/2 Model 50Z and 60 computers to 386SX (or higher) level so that they can run 386 specific software. If anyone is aware of such a product, I would appreciate it if they would send E-mail directly to me at uunet!norvax!leroy. Thanks. -- UUCP: ...uuunet!norvax!leroy PHONE: (414) 563-8456 ext. 354 US Mail: Todd LeRoy, Norland Corp., W6340 Hackbarth Rd, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
gpatel@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu (Gautam Patel) (12/15/90)
In article <516@norvax.UUCP> leroy@norvax.UUCP (Todd LeRoy) writes: >I am looking for a product to upgrade IBM PS/2 Model 50Z and 60 computers >to 386SX (or higher) level so that they can run 386 specific software. If >anyone is aware of such a product, I would appreciate it if they would send >E-mail directly to me at uunet!norvax!leroy. Thanks. SOTA Technologies makes a 386SX chip that plugs into the Model 50 and 50Z. I am told a 20MHz version is due out soon. Because of the compact size of the Model 50, you will also need an adapter to fit the chip. SOTA claims the chip will improve the throughput of the Model 50 300-400%!!! (using the 16MHz version). You can also complement this with a hardcache to improve performance even more. Of course your hard drive should be able to match the speed increase. Good luck Gautam >-- >UUCP: ...uuunet!norvax!leroy >PHONE: (414) 563-8456 ext. 354 >US Mail: Todd LeRoy, Norland Corp., W6340 Hackbarth Rd, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
kirsch@ux.acs.umn.edu (Dave Kirsch) (12/15/90)
In article <516@norvax.UUCP> leroy@norvax.UUCP (Todd LeRoy) writes: >I am looking for a product to upgrade IBM PS/2 Model 50Z and 60 computers >to 386SX (or higher) level so that they can run 386 specific software. If >anyone is aware of such a product, I would appreciate it if they would send >E-mail directly to me at uunet!norvax!leroy. Thanks. I thought I'd post this since it will probably be of interest to many owners of Microchannel PS/2 286 machines. (i.e. Model 50, 50Z, 60, etc.) MPM (Memory Products and More) is advertising a 'Micromaster 386' board for the aforementioned PS/2 machines. Basically, it looks like an AOX bus master board to upgrade your machine to a 386. The board will allow up to 8 megs worth of on-board memory, and supposedly will take advantage of any existing 16-bit memory you currently have installed. It has a 387 coprocessor slot. I'm only passing along this information; I haven't called these guys myself, but will do so in a few days. It seems as if your main limitations after installing this would be the following: (1) No 32-bit slots for expansion if for some reason you want to put in a fancy board in the future. (2) If you've got a Model 50 with the old 20 meg hard drive, your hard drive is gonna be a *serious* bottleneck in your system. (Yes, I'm talking about the ones with the 80 ms. access time.) You might just wanna junk your 20 meg HD and invest in a 100 meg+ HD. Unfortunately, I don't have any pricing information. This product has been advertised to resellers and the like in Computer Reseller News for a while now; I don't know if it has made it into the 'normal' industry mags yet (i.e. Infoworld, PCWeek, etc.) If you want to contact MPM, they've listed three 800 numbers in their ad - however, be forewarned that they may be looking to speak to resellers. East Coast 1-800-899-4676 West Coast 1-800-222-8861 Mid-West 1-800-966-4676 (ask for extension 347 at each of these numbers) If this does what it says, it could be a nice little example of what Microchannel can do. (Yes, I know similar products are out for some normal PCs, but I haven't seen any totally stable ones yet.) Please try calling the phone # before deluging me with mail - like I said, I'm only passing along information from the advertisement. Dave Kirsch kirsch@ux.acs.umn.edu ".. so, like, if you were in outer space and you blew your wad, would it go on for infinity?" - Billy, in 'Patti Rocks'