Operation Delta 14

Operation Delta 14 now starts with testing, building a computer, modifications, research, and other things to numerous to mention. The Queen of Hearts is ahead of me now but not for long (I hope). These threads were started because two of us who didn't know much of anything about computers wanted to build one. There is enough information in these threads and links to give a person overload. The humor is questionable, but the fun we're having is not. To answer a few questions, we are building just behind the cutting edge of what's new to keep costs down, dependability up, with plenty of power and expansion capabilities. Anyone wanting to add to, make suggestions, have questions, or comments is invited to do so. All are welcome - newbie to expert. So do jump in, the water is fine. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ See here for Operation Delta 13.

------------------
Seek Knowledge First and All Else Will Follow

Bistro this is to fine to leave behind. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

If ya'll haven't done so already, you'll want to make a Windows 98 Startup disk (can do it under Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs). I'd use that, rather than the Ultimate Boot disk--will be less confusing to follow the instructions HERE to FDISK (partition) and FORMAT your new hard drive. This is probably one of the best and most simple to understand tutorials on the subject---very straightforward. Recommend printing all of them out and have it handy when ready to prep the system for 98 installation. Takes you though from FDISK to installing 98. Ignore that section on Special FDISK commands--don't screw around (at least right now... https://discussions.virtualdr.com/). You'll need the following:
Win 98 Startup floppy
Full version of 98--or an Win 98 Upgrade version and a Win 95 CD. (Do NOT try to use a "Recovery CD" from an OEM computer).
CDs/floppies of all your other software.
Export copy of all your e-mail addresses and Favorites (can get them all on one floppy).
Copies of any bmps, icons, cursors that would be "lost" if something goes wrong.
Setup copies of any programs that you feel the world would end if you lost them.
Printed copy of the tutorial (fdisk, format and 98 installation).
(Hang on to that Ultimate Boot Disk--it'll come in handy for future operations--but for right now, recommend use the Win 98 Startup).

May be being redundant here, but it is NOT necessary to install 95 if using the Win 98 Update CD. Early in the Setup, it will ask to "see" Windows 95. You just have to remove the 98 Update CD, insert the 95, and point the program to that CD--it reads/checks, then you'll be prompted to put the 98 CD back in. Then carry on your merry way. As soon as Windows is fully installed, you'll be surprised to see that your monitor screen appears out-of-whack...don't panic. It's that generic PCI VGA driver that Windows installed. I wrote up all the details on that "tweak sheet' on how, and most importantly, when to make the appropriate adjustments to the screen. Will e-mail that sheet to you (and anyone else who needs it) when M$ corrects their "Little Problem".

[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 01-25-2001).]

------------------
SMILE
and post back

Hi Train, Need to bring forward component list too. The one QoH made up and there is a general component list that Toolbox has posted that is good. Sack time for me. Later. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

------------------
Seek Knowledge First and All Else Will Follow

Q_O_H posted this. The queens list https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
>Western Digital ATA-66 7200RPM
>Motherboard Abit BX 133-RAID ( socket370-type)
>In Win S 500 ATX 2.01 compliance Mid Tower 300watt Power supply
Intel Pentium III 866MHz FC-PGA w/256KB
RAM 128PC-133
>Hercules ProphetII MX Video Card (AGP type)32MB
Modem 56K (not winmodem)PCI
>Sound Card -Sound Blaster Live series
Global Win heatsink/fan
>two fans intake and exhaust
>floppy drive
>CDROM 48X
>Mouse
>Keyboard
Monitor ___Probably later...


------------------
SMILE
and post back

Toolbox's statement:
These are the parts you will be needing for a basic computer:
Processor
Motherboard
RAM
Videocard
Soundcard
Modem
LAN Card*
CD-ROM Drive
CD-RW Drive*
Floppy Disk Drive
Casing
Power Supply
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Speakers
Printer*


* indicates that it isn't neccesary

Let us know what you're planning on using the computer for and we can recommend the best thing for you. Also, a budget would be nice.



------------------
SMILE
and post back

Just one more note on that "tweak sheet"--can't remember if I mentioned it, but by "Install Windows 98", I mean it's up and running with all the drivers intact (sound, printer, modem, etc.), THEN do the rest...(replace vid driver, install DirectX, 3Dmark, etc.)---the 3DMark demo needs sound.
Nite all..."items" are on their way tomorrow.

invaluable http://www.geocities.com/asdf85016/search.gif

How many times?? Have I wanted this. Now you can get it also.

------------------
SMILE
and post back

Mornin'
Mind if I borrow that gif once in a while Train? https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

There was a shipment notification in my mail box this morning for the Motherboard. Also checked the "status" on the Video Card ...says it's sitting on the dock of the warehouse (*..watchin' the tiiiide roll awaaaayy*) https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Oh ! I put my Dial Up connection on a floppy, too.
Those Nvidia drivers I'll be needin'... should I go get those now so I'll have them when I get ready, or will they fit on a disk ?

QOH: Those drivers won't fit on a floppy.
The Nvidia site has the drivers (called Detonator 3), but it's the 6.31 version. That'll work, but I'm sending you the 6.34 version. Mailing today.



[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 01-26-2001).]

Shouldn't be applicable in this case, but if replacing an old vid card with the GeForce card, it is extremely important to wipe out all traces of the old driver.
Can get the instructions on how to do that HERE. Not necessary to do this on a clean install--those generic PCI VGA drivers Windows puts on during a clean install will not interfere with the Nvidia drivers.

Gotcha. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ Thanks bistro.

HOLD OFF ON INSTALLING WINDOWS 98!!!!!!
M$ JUST ANNOUNCED A BRAND SPANKING NEW OPERATIING SYSTEM!!!!! DETAILS HERE....Film at eleven....

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/HEY !If you haven't already mailed that CD... could ya burn me a copy of that too, bistro??

Mailed this A.M.--Do you mean an extra copy?

[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 01-26-2001).]

No just of M$ CEMENT. You sounded so excited...I was just sure you'd already run out and bought that. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ Oh...Well, you don't burn a copy of that, you mix it....

Oh dear...will I ever get a handle on this terminology ?

Oh and by the way..... I was reading a post on the 98 Board concerning RAID and jtdoom made reference to a "hotrod". https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Bistro.... did you let me buy a hotrod?????

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ VRRROOOOM! Yep...RAID: Redundant Array of Independent Disks. usually found on servers, but can come in handy on PC's with two or more hd's. It's just that it has that capability, that's all. You won't be using it unless you put another drive on it, then you could play around with the settings.

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/You dirty devil !

hummmm....Maybe I shouda bought two 10 Gig Hard Drives....just so you could play with it ?!

...want me to refuse delivery ? https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

AND ! Now I hafta buy a decent monitor so I can see all those snazzy graphics ! https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

...and I trusted you https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

Aaaaaaawwwww, chill out... https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ You're getting one of the best BX boards out there. Shouldn't have to upgrade for....oh...at least 2 months...(just kidding). What's the make/model, size of the monitor you have now?


"Dost thou doubteth Bistro? Hath thy trust in him waned as the setting sun? Hast thy faith in his judgements turned to bovine offal?"
---from the "Bistro Archives", when bistro was trying to borrow the car keys from his reluctant father.

[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 01-26-2001).]

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

It's an NEC MultiSync 3FGe Screen looks like about 12" wide and maybe 8" tall.

Yep...that's a teeny one...
Looked up the specs. Here's what you can do while waiting up to save for a better one. On the Tweak Sheet, where it says to set the Refresh Rate of the monitor to "Adapter Default"--set yours to 60Hz. (Max is 65 for yours). You can still set it for 800x600. The images will be small, but you'll still be able to enjoy the show. (But by now, you're used to that small screen, aren't you?). You might want to run the test in 800x600 rather than "Default"--would enjoy it better. Recommend a Sony Trinitron 17" to 19" monitor when you get around to shopping for one. But for right now, concentrate on getting the system put together--no worries.

And I thought the 13" on the 386 was small.

17" Sony E210 . . 340
17" Sony G200 . . 440
19" sony E400 . . 590
19" sony G400 . . 630
19" sony F400 . . 960
Just some quick stuff I found>
See me scratching my head https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Which one do you have bistro?



------------------
SMILE
and post back

Yeah, I'm used to it....least it's in color. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

Lord! Train. That's about as much as the whole system!


I have adjusted the "tweak sheet" for this monitor but left the other in parentheses, for future reference.
Think I'll go check the "status" of my order(made me a link right to it). https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

I'll be seeing some these this weekend. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

------------------
SMILE
and post back

[This message has been edited by Train (edited 01-26-2001).]

Q_o_H , Greengoose

This we never want to happen

------------------
SMILE
and post back

[This message has been edited by Train (edited 01-26-2001).]

Train, I thought I could see you on the beach. Beautiful. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

QoH, Sent you an e-mail at least expect by mistake that was for Mosaic. Could you forward please. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

------------------
Seek Knowledge First and All Else Will Follow

Train: Have the Sony 17" Multiscan 200SX for a few years now. Interesting story behind it. Bought one for around 200 less--the clerk who sold me on it praised it to the skies--took it home and it was real screwy--called him and he tried to help over the phone---still screwed up. Finally took it back (rather angrily)--the clerk wasn't there, but the manager was--he went and looked for a replacement---oops, sorry...don't have another one of that model. Would I consider this Sony model for only 250 bucks more? Hell, no--couldn't afford it. He looks around and says "It's yours--even exchange." Took it and left in rather a hurry before he changed his mind.
Have been quite happy with it since.

Of course, greengoose. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/Nothing yet.

Train, is it warm 'nuf for sun bathin' up there? https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

If'n you are from SIBERIA, all year around.
If you are a local, July - Labor day.
From Florida, never.

Really it depends on many things, Remember water is about 54 degrees year round. And they lose people every year to the ocean.
I like watching the surf during storms. Quite pretty. But, have to remember, nothing between the beach and Asia to slow the wind down. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
At one point you are about 700 feet above the ocean. Nice views
Much nicer than what I found on the eastern bathtub called the Atlantic https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ 86 degree water.

------------------
SMILE
and post back

Ya sure did, bistro.
Bet you were running by the time you got to the parking lot.
Happened to my Aunt too, with her computer. She threw a fit and they didn't have the same one so she got a bigger better one.

Evidently, ya just havta get mean!

I'll be practicin'. http://cwm.ragesofsanity.com/s/net4/splat.gif


Train it is beautiful. 54 degrees! More likely wind burnt. No wonder those beaches look deserted. Have a good time. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

Edit in above https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ Below Neahkahnie Mountain and Manzanita Beach.
Believe it or not it can get mean with people. Large industry there, tourist that is.

Night all https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
No computer at all. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

------------------
SMILE
and post back

I'll work on a tip sheet this weekend on installing hardware into the S500 case for ya'll. It'll work in conjunction with that site on building a PC, but specific to that case. Nothing real elaborate, just some things to watch out for that'll save you a few headaches.

bistro? I been thinking about these drivers. Windows has it's own stored in the CD and uses those to get things going. Then I use the ones you are sending for the Prophet II Video card. Does anything else need better ones that I'll need to go get after things are up and running, because you mentioned having all the drivers installed before "tweaking"?

Not really. You can always download the latest drivers for the other stuff later and update. 98SE doesn't have the latest, but it does a fair job of putting in the correct ones (or at least adequate enough to get it running). For Soundblaster Live! you'll want the Liveware 3 drivers. The problem is that most of the latest drivers for your modem, SB card, etc. are larger than what would fit on a floppy for you. The object is to get it up and running first, then do all the "tweaks". You'll want to have your printer CD or floppy ready--98SE sometimes has a problem with identifying printers and may ask you for the driver. Same for the (new?)modem.

I've got the CD for the printer. I'll worry about installing it later. After the fear subsides.

Modem will be new, so it should have a CD. The CDROM is new, but has no stuff with it. Just came in a bag. My friend gave it to me. And the floppy drive is used, but I know it works.
You think I'll need some sort of CD to install those, or will Windows recognise them ?
I have never had to go get any drivers for anything. Of course, there is nothing fancy on this computer.
It will remain in tact. Not robbing anything from this one.

When installing Windows, leave the printer unplugged from the system--otherwise every time you reboot, it's going to keep asking you for the printer driver. Can add the printer later. When you use the Win 98 bootup disk, it will put generic drivers on for the CD-ROM and it will work fine. Can update those drivers later too. Who knows? Windows may recognize the make/model and install the proper drivers for the CD-ROM upon installation. If not, again you can always update it with the driver CD later.

Floppy drive is the floppy drive is the floppy drive. No drivers necessary--Windows recognizes it.

Hmmmmm. must be tired. No driver CD for that CD-ROM? What's the make/model?


[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 01-27-2001).]

It's a Mitsumi 48X.

What do they do, just look in here (or there https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ ) and see if I have the latest thing? Then tell me what I need kinda like Windows Update?

Are trying to trick me, Mosaic? https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

I fell for that new technology take your picture thing when I first got on here. I held my face close to the monitor just like they said to. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ I was skeptical...but I still did it.

Ok. Thanks. I'll go see what's going on over there.

I'll also put the links in my favorites so when I move those over onto a floppy, they'll be there too.