Thomas Mueller wrote:
> I don't think the BIOS is upgradeable. If
> it is possible to replace the non-volatile memory chip with a fresh programmed
> one, how much labor would be involved, and how much would it cost? It might not
> be worth the cost for a Cx486DX2-S at 66 MHz.
Similar thing here. It's an Award BIOS on a Dell 486
motherboard. Neither Dell nor Award has upgrades available.
The Award page suggests a third-party BIOS card to plug into
an expansion slot for ~$40 but then I'd have to decide on
whether to get rid of the Creative Labs soundcard/CD Drive, the
network card, or the modem. The obvious choice would be to get
rid of the modem, but it does come in handy when I've got *my*
machine scattered across the kitchen table.
The old BIOS won't recognize any HD over 504MB... so my old
2.5GB drive is formatted as a 504MB drive. What a waste! Yet...
it would be even more of a waste sitting on a closet shelf.
Alas! The BIOS also won't allow a 2.5GB formatted as a 504MB
to be bootable. It can only be a second drive, but there's no
room for a second drive in the case! :-/
A little modification, and the word "desktop" takes on a new
meaning. Function wins out over form anyday. ;-)
http://twovoyagers.com/devel/case.jpg
I think after we move next time, I'll relegate that machine to
firewall duties, and do something else for my wife's Doze machine.
- Steve
