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From: djo7613@hardy.u.washington.edu (Dick O'Connor)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.zenith
Subject: Re: Zenith 386 Boat Anchors!!
Message-ID: <5388@milton.u.washington.edu>
Date: 23 Jul 90 15:41:12 GMT
References: <169.26a5a941@miavx0.ham.muohio.edu> <8532@ur-cc.UUCP>
Sender: news@milton.u.washington.edu
Reply-To: djo7613@hardy.acs.washington.edu (Dick O'Connor)
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
Lines: 46

In article <8532@ur-cc.UUCP> ttak@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Timothy Takahashi) writes:
>In article <169.26a5a941@miavx0.ham.muohio.edu> maoursler@miavx0.ham.muohio.edu writes:
>>	Has anyone out there experienced problems with a Zenith
>>	33 MHz 386 system.  Specifically, we cannot run protected
>>	mode applications with reliability.
>
>It wouldn't suprise me in the least. Our Zenith Z-386 16mhz machine was also
>best descibed as a boat anchor. However, here are some points......
>
Now, now, "boat anchors" is a bit harsh.  Let me add a clarification or two.
The first thing I'd ask is "What is your dealer doing about this?" :)

>Is your VGA card (or if its a 31-khz Video Adaptor, its really an EGA card)

Buzz!  Urban legend.  The very first, original "VGA" cards installed in 
Zenith machines were model number Z-449, and they were BIOS-compatible VGA
cards that weren't register (hardware) compatible.  Zenith stopped calling
them VGA and went to "extended EGA" after awhile, even in the docs.  There
was even a trade-in program for the replacement, TRUE VGA card, the Z-549
(and its close cousin, the Heath HB-550), but that program may have been
limited to University campuses.  I've been running Z549 cards for two years
now with no compatibility or other problems. I find it hard to believe there
are any Z-449 cards in a 33 MHz Zenith 386.  It just doesn't sound right.

>>	We installed Windows 3.0 on this system but are limited to
>>	operating in real mode.  Why?  Because the other modes
>>	crash without fail.  Invariably, when we try to run
>>	applications it dies.  The machIne has 5 MB of memory.
>
>dumpster!) Also, did you set up Windows 3.0 for the ZENITH (it is NOT an
>
To this, let me add; Did you install Zenith's version of Windows 3?  It's
been available now for some time (got my upgrade cards in the mail two
weeks ago), and it's certainly possible that Zenith foresaw and programmed
around some of the incompatibilities you're experiencing.  

>>	This is the same problem that we had when we tried to run OS/2.
>>	System would lock.  VM386 also locks up on this computer.

Hopefully you can find other net.users who can answer these.  When I want
to do more than DOS allows, I use Unix! :)  :) :)  

"Moby" Dick O'Connor                         djo7613@u.washington.edu 
Washington Department of Fisheries           *I brake for salmonids* 
"Moby" Dick O'Connor                         djo7613@u.washington.edu 
Washington Department of Fisheries           *I brake for salmonids*