How to make an Old PC go fast (BIG Thread!)

[Dan]

Hi, the subject says what I want to do, but I dan't want to overclock my 8y/o PC as it's the only one I have! Around here I once saw some one say 'Don't spare the information'. They will regret saying that, as here is ALL there is to know about my PC: ***Damn - It won't let me post it!*** Ok, Heres the first part:

Microsoft Windows 98 4.10.2222 A
Clean install using OEM Preinstall Kit /T:C:\WININST0.400 /SrcDir=C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS /IS /IW /IQ /ID /IV /IZ /II /NR  /U:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
IE 5 5.00.2614.3500
Uptime: 0:00:36:32
Normal mode
On "TINYPC" as "Unknown User"
Tiny Computers
GenuineIntel Pentium(r) III Processor
128MB RAM
57% system resources free
Windows-managed swap file on drive C (3202MB free)
Available space on drive C: 3199MB of 12405MB (FAT32)


[Hardware Resources]

[Conflicts/Sharing]

IRQ 9      NVIDIA RIVA TNT2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro
IRQ 9      ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
IRQ 9      SCI IRQ used by ACPI bus
IRQ 10      Creative Sound Blaster AudioPCI 64V
IRQ 10      Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
IRQ 10      ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
IRQ 11      V.90 K56Flex HSP PCI Modem
IRQ 11      ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
IRQ 14      Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
IRQ 14      Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller
IRQ 15      Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo)
IRQ 15      Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller


[DMA]

1      SB AudioPCI 64V Legacy Device
2      Standard Floppy Disk Controller
4      Direct memory access controller
0      (free)
3      (free)
5      (free)
6      (free)
7      (free)


[Forced Hardware]

 Forced Hardware
 There is no Forced Hardware on this computer.

Oh, Is there a quick way to dump the contents of My CTRL + ALT + DEL list?

Thanks, Dan

[Delta_]

The quick way to post your task list is,
Press Ctrl-Alt-Del,
Press Print Screen button,
paste into paint then cut out the info you need and post that on SimV as an image.

[Daz]

urgh tiny pc's blah have had bad experiences with them **Shudders**

[Dan]

I had thought of that, although my IDLE programs list has a scroll bar!!!!! OK, heres a 'Doctered' Close Prog Window:-
Dan

[Delta_]

Make sure you restart the comp to clear the RAM (win98 only) and for the background apps, kill everything except systray and explorer.

[Dan]

I did exactly what you said and I got 2.1fps! Normally i get around 12. The reason was that I end tasked my graphics card driver!! What are they called in that list for a NVidea TNT2 Model 64Pro?
Thanks, Dan

Driver Infohttp://www.nvidia.com/object/win9x_53.04

[Delta_]

OK, then just do it again without ending the GFX driver.

[congo]

Dan,

You got a lotta junk running in the background and not enough ram for FS9, let alone all that other junk.

[Dan]

I have sorted all of those bkg aps. I would like to do a 25Mhz (or around that) ovwerclock to my PC. Trouble is, I nedd the software and I have no docs, nor is there any name on the mobo. It's one of the ancient 'Slotted proccesor' types. Where can I get the software?
Dan

[Scottler]

Google "Belarc Advisor" and install it.  It will give you a complete profile of your computer.  I haven't run it in ages, but I'm 99% sure it will give you your mobo information as well.

[Pinchaser...]

how much faster will 25mhz make it? i doubt it will do a whole lot. http://www.pricewatch.com look for parts for a new PC.

[Gary R.]

Case=$60, Moboard for AMD=$125, AND 2800+=$75, 300 watt power pack = $45, 512meg DDR3300 = $120, ATI 9600 = $120, Seagate 80 gig HD =$79.95, LG CDRW = $45. Enjoying FS2004/2002 =priceless.  

All prices gestimated, some may be too high. Most components come with software and easy for a kid to follow installation foldouts.  If you have a decent PC shop in your area, trade that junk, he might give you $50 off a barebones and if you shop smartly you might get away with a very upgradable up-to date PC for $300 or less especially if your brave enough to build part of it yourself. :-)

[Gixer]

Dan it isn't worth it for 25MHz, i really dont think you will notice anything at that size of overclock, you really wanna aim for over 100MHz.  I had a Tiny PC many years ago and now I relise why I shouldn't have brought one! still we all learn by our mistakes.

One thing I really hated about the Tiny was the restore disk.  It puts all kinds of crap all over your PC, half of which you dont want.  Your best bet is get together the drivers you require, i.e.

Motherboard drivers
Graphics card drivers
DX9c
Sound drivers
Any peripheral device drivers

Put these onto a CD.

Now re-format and dont use the crappy Tiny restore disk.  Install Windows using the windows disk they should have provided u with.  Then install the mobo drivers, then DX9, then graphics, then sound then anything else you need.  This is a much better way of doing things than those crap restore disks.

You will find doing it this way you will have the absolute bare minimum running to on boot up, well until you install stuff yourself.

If you know how to when you re-format change your file system to NTFS.  It keeps things a hell of a lot tidier than FAT32.

[Dan]

Ok, thanks Gixer. I havn't done any o/cing or anything, so don't worry about that. MY excuse about the TINY PC thing:

I was 9 when my parents bought it in 1999
And It was the first PC i had EVER used!

BTW, heres a spec I did when I was bored:

GFX CARD      XFX GeForce 6800 GT 256MB DDR3      308.44
CPU      AMD Athlon 64 3500 inc fan etc

[Delta_]

I would not use PC2100 RAM in it, as it will not work at the correct FSB setting if you do.  You need PC3200 RAM, this operates on a 400MHz effective frequency and will allow max performance for that system.